Enjoy better hearing no matter what your age may be

Hearing Aid Styles

The size, placement on or inside the ear, and the degree to which a hearing aid amplifies sound are all used to determine the best solution to your hearing problem. Hearing aids will not restore your normal hearing. With practice, however, a hearing aid for profound hearing loss or moderate hearing loss will increase your awareness of sounds and their sources. You will want to wear your hearing aid regularly, so selecting one that is convenient and easy for you to use is important too.

Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Style

Behind-the-Ear (BTE) hearing aids consist of a hard plastic case worn behind the ear and connected to a plastic earmold that fits inside the outer ear. The electronic parts are held in the case behind the ear. Sound travels from the hearing aid through the earmold and into the ear. BTE aids are appropriate for people of all ages and all types of hearing loss, from mild to profound.

A newer kind of BTE aid is an open-fit hearing aid. Small, open-fit aids fit behind the ear completely, with only a narrow tube inserted into the ear canal, enabling the canal to remain open. Some people may prefer the open-fit hearing aid because their perception of their voice is more natural.

In-the-Ear (ITE) Style

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids fit completely inside the outer ear and are used for mild to moderate/severe hearing loss. The case holding the electronic components is made of hard plastic. Some ITE aids may have certain added features installed, such as a telecoil.

In-the-Canal/Completely-in-Canal (ITC/CIC) Styles


Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) Style

This is the most popular hearing aid style. All RIC solutions have their electronics, battery and microphone inside a casing worn behind the ear. An ultra thin, sculpted wire carries the amplified sound to a receiver (speaker) that fits in the ear canal. RIC technology works well for hearing losses ranging from mild to severe. Because they are small, RIC aids have less space available for larger (more powerful) batteries and additional devices, such as a telecoil. They usually are not recommended for young children or for people with severe to profound hearing loss because their reduced size limits their power and volume.

The Best Hearing Aids for YOU & Personalized Support to Ensure Your Satisfaction

The hearing aids that will work best for you depends on the situations you are struggling to understand in, as well as the kind and severity of your hearing loss. If you have a hearing loss in both of your ears, two hearing aids are generally recommended because two aids provide a more natural signal to the brain.


With your input, our staff will make the best recommendation for you and select a hearing aid that best suits your needs and lifestyle. Price is also a key consideration because hearing aids range in price. Similar to other equipment purchases, style and features affect cost.

Call us at 907.789.6780 for your hearing aid consultation!